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Cantu, Angels apply early pressure

Cantu, Angels apply early pressure

Cantu's two-run single 0:22

3/6/12: Jorge Cantu lines a two-run single to left off southpaw John Danks, giving the Angels an early 2-0 lead over the White Sox

By Alden Gonzalez
/
MLB.com |

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels' starting lineup -- led by Albert Pujols and Jorge Cantu -- continued to produce on Tuesday, once again scoring early en route to a 6-2 win over the White Sox in their home opener at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Angels scored all nine of their runs in the first four innings against the Athletics on Monday, then put up six runs in the first three frames to spark them on Tuesday.

Pujols, who started as the designated hitter and added a double, drew a walk in the first, then later scored on a two-run single by Cantu. The White Sox tied it in the second off youngster Garrett Richards, on a Brent Lillibridge line drive that was kicked around by left fielder Ryan Langerhans and a sac fly from Alejandro De Aza.

But the Angels answered back in the next two frames to pull away, getting a sacrifice fly from Maicer Izturis in the second and scoring three more in the third against Brian Omogrosso -- on an Alexi Amarista double, a wild pitch and a Kole Calhoun single.

For the Angels, Cantu, Calhoun, and Alberto Callaspo each had a couple of hits. Pujols, who went 1-for-2, is now 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, an RBI and a walk in his two Cactus League games.

White Sox lefty John Danks, signed to a five-year, $65 million extension in December, gave up three runs on three walks and four hits in his two innings of work.

"I thought I had enough behind the ball," Danks said after his spring debut. "My ball was doing what I wanted it to. It just wasn't going where I wanted to throw it. It's the first one. I'll be ready to go in five days or so."

Gordon Beckham, hitting in the No. 2 spot, went 2-for-2 and Adam Dunn, batting third, drew a couple of walks for the White Sox.

Richards, in competition for the fifth spot of the Angels' rotation gave up two runs on four hits and one walk.

"It's a good foundation to build off of," said Richards, who threw primarily fastballs and sliders. "I felt good out there and felt comfortable, and I feel like I can move forward from here."

Up next for Angels: Jered Weaver, the ace pitcher and probable Opening Day starter, will take the mound for his spring debut against the Mariners at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. PT. Weaver is coming off a career year, one that saw him go 18-8 with a 2.41 ERA to finish second in Cy Young Award voting. Last spring, the 29-year-old right-hander posted a 4.08 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. Mariners righty Blake Beaven will oppose Weaver. The game will be aired on MLB.TV and Gameday Audio.